North Carolina Projects

Ducks Unlimited works across the country to ensure not only sufficient habitat for waterfowl, but also to ensure waterfowl hunters continue to have the opportunity to pursue their passion. Here are some of the DU projects in North Carolina that are open to the public for duck hunting.

Across the state of North Carolina, some 2 million acres are managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) for public hunting, trapping, and inland fishing. These areas are known collectively as "game lands." Ducks Unlimited recently began working to enhance 593 acres of waterfowl habitat on the Butner–Falls of Neuse Game Land near Raleigh.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) often partners with Ducks Unlimited to make improvements to national wildlife refuges through a program called Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

Ducks Unlimited has been awarded a $125,000 grant from the North Carolina Attorney General's Office for wetland restoration work on Butner-Falls of Neuse Game Land in Wake, Durham, and Granville counties. This is the eighth grant that DU has received through the attorney general's Environmental Enhancement Grant (EEG) Program.

Ducks Unlimited recently submitted a proposal to the North Carolina Attorney General's Office Environmental Enhancement Grant Program to restore 593 acres on Neuse Game Land in Wake County, North Carolina.

Ducks Unlimited recently received a $375,000 grant from the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office through the Environmental Enhancement Grant Program. These funds will be used to acquire land along the Cape Fear River that will be managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. This is the third grant received by DU in support of its work in the Cape Fear River Basin. Past projects funded by this grant program have been used to restore wetland habitat on agricultural lands and in bottomland hardwood forests, improve water quality, control flooding, and provide public outdoor recreation opportunities.

In March 2009, DU completed construction at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge under an existing agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. A combination of 49 water control structures and culverts were used to improve water delivery at Pocosin Lakes NWR, impacting 13,500 acres of unique pocosin habitat in Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington Counties in North
water control structures Ducks Unlimited installed at Pocosin Lakes NWR
New water control structure at Pocosin Lakes NWR.
Carolina. A pocosin is a type of freshwater wetland characterized by nutrient-deficient soils composed of shallow or deep peat, sometimes referred to as “shrub bogs”.

DU recently completed work on the Caledonia State Prison project in Halifax County, NC. This project was also part of the Roanoke River Migratory Bird Initiative II NAWCA grant. The project involved construction of levees and installation of three water control structures to restore 77 acres of prior-converted agricultural fields to shallow water managed wetlands.

The recently completed Broadneck Unit project restored hydrology to 1,050 acres of the Roanoke River NWR in Bertie County, NC. This project was part of the Roanoke River Migratory Bird Initiative II NAWCA grant that was approved in early 2006.

River flow alteration, habitat conversion and water quality degradation have negatively impacted forested wetlands and migratory bird populations along the Roanoke River. The purpose of this project was to restore hydrology to 411 acres of bottomland hardwood forest and improve wildlife habitat on Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge.

The purpose of this project was to restore management capability to a brackish marsh impoundment and associated upland live oak hammock. To accomplish this task partners installed a water control structure, a pump to control flooding of the impoundment, and reconstructed the levees.

Through this project partners restored prior converted agricultural land to managed emergent wetlands for wintering waterfowl in the North River floodplain of Northeastern North Carolina. Ditching, draining, and clearing of hardwood swamps for agriculture purposes have drastically altered this river system.

To acquire by fee simple purchase, a 600-acre tract of bottomland and associated uplands in the Johns River Basin. This project afforded DU the opportunity to partner with the NCWRC in the protection of approximately 600 acres of prior converted agricultural fields located in the floodplain of the Catawba River in Burke County.

This conservation project will provide a dependable source of freshwater for wintering waterfowl on Currituck NWR. The project involved the installation of a new well field and pump station to enhance a 150-acre emergent wetland. Situated along the outer banks, this project site will provide critical freshwater wetland habitat for migratory birds and the supplemental water system will enhance wetland management capability, especially during period of droughts.

To protect and enhance wetlands, associated uplands, forest and riverine features throughout the Roanoke and Chowan River basins. Five projects comprise this conservation effort, which was made possible by a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant.

Ducks Unlimited (DU) partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to install a pump to provide water for the Wengeler Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) in Cavalier County near the city of Devils Lake, North Dakota. The project which was completed in 2004 provides pumping capabilities for over 65 acres of wetlands on the WPA, ensuring adequate breeding pair and brood-rearing habitat in most years.

Historically, the lower Roanoke River Basin has been an important wintering area for mallards, black ducks, wood ducks, and many other species of migratory birds. Periodic wet and dry cycles are normal for this habitat and a primary reason for its high level of productivity.

The purpose of this project was to provide pumping capabilities on 350 acres of waterfowl habitat throughout Pungo NWR. A pumping station would improve habitat management on three moist-soil impoundments and provide standing water on harvested agricultural fields during the wintering period for migrating waterfowl.

The purpose of this project was to provide wood duck nest boxes to severely altered pocosin habitats where hydrology has been restored and natural cavities do not exist. With brood habitat restored, wood duck hatchlings will have much better chance for survival.

Ducks Unlimited's involvement as a conservation partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Mattamuskeet NWR dates back to the early 1990s. Projects at Mattamuskeet NWR have included funding for chemical herbicides to spray infestations of phragmites throughout wetland cells (Phases I, III, & V) and funding for the purchase of pumps and pump stations to facilitate water level management in wetland units (Phases II & IV).

To refurbish a deteriorated levee and enhance management capabilities on 100 acres of brackish marsh within White Oak River Game Lands. This project will benefit a wide variety of duck species including mallards, wigeon, gadwall, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, and shovelers.

This multi-phase project consisted of restoring dikes and installation of water control structures (phase I), spraying herbicides on noxious stands of phragmites (Phase II), and purchase and installation of a fixed pumping station (Phase III) on Gull Rock Game Lands. When intensively managed with brackish waters from nearby Pamlico Sound, this area provides excellent habitat for American wigeon, gadwall, Northern pintail, black ducks and lesser scaup.

To acquire 137 acres of riverine wetlands and uplands on Perkins Game Lands. The acquisition of bottomland hardwoods (45 acres) provides valuable foraging habitat to migrating and wintering waterfowl near Hunting Creek. This project provides hunting opportunities and is managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

The purpose of this project was to enhance wintering habitat for migrating waterfowl and brooding rearing habitat for locally breeding wood ducks through construction of dikes and installation of water control structures in portions of prior-converted agricultural lands. This project positively affects over 7,000 acres of wetlands habitat on Great dismal Swamp NWR.

To restore 14 acres of moist-soil wetlands on Caswell Game Lands through renovation of dikes and installation of a water control structure. The waterfowl impoundment, originally developed by Ducks Unlimited and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) in 1998, experienced erosion to a portion of the project's low dike.

The purpose of this project was to restore dikes and water control structures on several hundred acres of prior-converted agricultural fields at Alligator River NWR. Several hundred feet of dikes were refurbished and several water control structures were replaced with new structures to restore management potential on the refuge.

To enhance habitat quality within a complex of brackish impoundments on Goose Creek Game Lands through herbicide application on noxious stands of phragmites and purchase and installation of pumps / power units to facilitate flooding and draw down of the impoundments. These managed wetlands are extremely important to waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds and raptors that migrate along coastal North Carolina.

The purpose of this project was to restore water level management capability on a freshwater reserve pond by installation of an aluminum flashboard riser in an existing dike. This project would enhance 8 acres of forested wetland habitat on Bladen Lakes State Forest.

This project consisted of constructing new cross dikes to subdivide existing impoundments, refurbishing existing dikes, installation of 8 new water control structures, and purchase of equipment to mechanically disturb soils to stimulate the growth of moist-soil plants important to wintering waterfowl. Restoration of the dikes and water control structures will allow for more intensive management of this important wintering area.

To acquire and protect 880 acres of wetland and upland habitats along the Roanoke River. The purpose of this project was to add additional acreage to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission Game Lands Program.

To acquire and protect 3,748 acres bottomland hardwoods and associated uplands along the Roanoke River and its tributaries. The purpose of this project was to add acreage to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission's Games Lands Program. Bottomland hardwoods are excellent habitat for deer and wild turkeys during dry periods and exceptional habitat for ducks when flooded during winter months.

To acquire and protect 253 acres of wetland and upland habitats along the Roanoke River. The purpose of this project was to add additional acreage to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission Game Lands Program.

Ducks Unlimited (DU) partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Progress Energy to restore 20 acres of freshwater wetland on Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge in Anson County N.C. The project was completed in September 2005 and the restored wetland will help support populations of migrating waterfowl, raptors and wading birds.

The purpose of this project was to restore management potential to an existing wetlands system on Pee Dee NWR through construction of dikes and installation of water control structures. Phase II of this project included the purchase of a portable pump that is used to re-flood waterfowl impoundments prior to the wintering season, thus providing a dependable source of water during dry periods.

To acquire and protect 600 acres of predominately agricultural land in eastern North Carolina. The site consists of 429 acres of agricultural land, 24 acres of moist-soil habitat, 97 acres of impoundments, 10 acres of pine shelterwood stands, and 40 acres of cut-over bottomland hardwoods.

To provide habitat for breeding, migrating and wintering waterfowl through construction of a dike and installation of a water control structure, thus enhancing 6 acres of wetlands habitat on Johns River Waterfowl Area. In addition, native tame grasses were planted on 51 acres and nesting structures were erected as part of this project. This project is managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

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